Ever since I read this article aloud to my husband, I never realized what a monster I'd create, nor did I realize I would ever be tempted to try hypermiling. Now that I have Pru, however, I have this intense burning need to always see a certain number on my average mpg readout.
In case you've never heard about it, hypermilers are folks who engage in tactics, some simple and others extreme, to achieve maximum gas mileage in their vehicles. It takes a couple of requirements, though, one of which is the ability to turn off any Type-A personalities and testosterone overloads; turns out, driving like a controlling asshole wastes a lot of friggin' gas.
I never dreamed Hub, who has always been somewhat of an adrenaline junkie when it comes to cars (2 porsches & a BMW M3 are all dirty sluts from his past), would engage in this pastime. I also never thought he'd trade in the Porsche for a Mini CooperS, either, but he is just full of surprises sometimes. Apparently, he considers hypermiling just another driving skill to learn, and if he gets off on adrenaline, he also digs a good cerebral challenge.
So, what are some of the things we do to inflate our mpg numbers? (I must confess, we are rather new at this, and as such, only use some of the basics that everyone can use.)
1. As soon as you see a red (or yellow) light, immediately take your foot off the gas pedal. Avoid pressing the brake at all, if possible.
2. After braking, let your car slowly accelerate on its own for at least a second before applying your foot to the gas pedal. Apparently, this has to do with friction and it being easier for an engine to accelerate an already moving object, no matter how slowly.
3. Putting the car in Neutral when going down hills of any size, wherever the car's momentum will carry it farther. Do this only when there is plenty of room between you and any other driver.
4. Driving barefoot. (I'm not sure about the science of this one, but I like driving barefoot, so I do it when I can.)
5. Utilize cruise control on the highway.
More extreme techniques, some of which are illegal and all of which are downright pants-pissing frightening to me, include: drafting off of an 18-wheeler (some say rear right side), actually turning your car off to accommodate gliding to a stop, and not braking around curves (okay, I do this on one baby curve that I can see all the way around, but it still scares the hell out of me sometimes). One of the teqhniques that we, as in my family, may never ever perfect is staying at very low mph even on the highway. This is for a couple of reasons. First, when Hubby is along, we are never on time. For anything. Ever. Second, I suddenly find myself feeling very self-conscious driving 55 mph on a 70 mph highway. Forget thinking for a minute that you really don't give a flying fuck what anyone thinks of you; try driving 55 mph on a 70 mph highway, and you'll feel like you're in middle school again, except instead of beating you over the head with a book, the bullies want to smash you up with a 2-ton mass of metal.
(Apologies to all who like the usual links in my posts. Today, I feel lazy, and adding links adds a good 30-45 minutes to posting time. Googling "hypermilers" or "hypermiling" will give you more than you could ever wish for. Happy hypermiling!)
Hmm... IMHO, #3 is more dangerous than not braking on curves... You can easily not brake on curves with a real car, you know, one with shifts... (Hihi, sorry for being euro-noxious). In a stick-shift, you take your foot of the gas and down-shift before the curve, no breaking necessary. Changing to neutral is something I really wouldn't do. You can easily loose control of the car if you need to brake suddenly. And I know that in Portugal it is illegal to drive barefoot, I think also for safety reasons. Image having no protection on your feet in an accident...
(Is my paranoid personality shining through a little too much here?)
Anyway, have fun.... (but be careful!)
Posted by: Alina | August 08, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I never knew this had a name.
And not braking around curves isn't scary at all as long as you concentrate.
As far as 55 mph, you get used to it. As long as you're in the right-most lane people don't usually bother you, and I drive all over Miami, where it's widely accepted that a 70 speed limit actually means 80.
I also try to not to stop at lights if they turn yellow when I'm not to far away from them, its a waste of gas and time
Posted by: Niki | August 09, 2007 at 05:29 AM
I used to do many of those things, but grew up to be too Type A to continue. In my city, coasting to a stop at a red light is guaranteed to get you rear-ended. The saying here is, "Red means 3 more cars!" And driving barefoot? No way. My sister broke her foot badly in an accident that way. My best bet is to try to replace as much driving with biking, I guess.
Have fun with Pru!
Posted by: Chile | August 09, 2007 at 08:06 AM
There we go! Tips! I'd like to know something about the fourth tip you've given here. Could you share some science about it or something? But it is kinda cool to know that driving barefoot actually helps boost your mpg count.
Posted by: Ivo Beutler | August 23, 2011 at 07:57 AM